Silvered iron interlocking initials "E" and "L" surmounted by a crown, the number "25" at the base, framed by a magnetic iron wreath of laurel leaves, 38.7 mm x 44.7 mm, twin threaded posts with nuts and support plate on the reverse, overall silvering loss, light contact, better than very fine.

The Awards of Hansgeorg Bätcher; eMedals has the pleasure of offering the Awards of Hansgeorg Bätcher, the Luftwaffe's leading bomber ace. This extensive group includes the following:
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939; Iron Core (magnetic) weighing 29.3 grams, marked 800; textbook example with all the features of maker Klein & Quenzer cross; pleasing toning to silver frame and with minimal contact to core or frame; extremely fine. Mounted on short section of original ribbon with ribbon and buckle, as worn. Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross 1939; Well marked 900 and 21; finely produced by Godet, weighing 6.6 grams, with sharp and crisp detailing; Both Awards contained in Case of issue for Knight's Cross; exhibiting only the expected wear, strong hinge and push button catch, extremely fine.
German Cross in Gold; An Early and a previously undocumented 6 rivet/long pin Gold Grade Version by Deschler; six rivets (also known as an Austrian Variant), weighing 64.3 grams, unmarked but known to be of Deschler production, with pleasing tone and minimal contact to centre enamels; in case of issue, with strong push button catch, better than extremely fine. German Cross in Gold; Cloth Version issued on Luftwaffe blue/grey felt backing; black paper backing remains untouched; mint. Iron Cross First Class 1939, Round 3 Version; with WWI catch and pin setup; iron core (magnetic), with toned silver frame; in case of issue. Medal Bar with Four Awards: an early Iron Cross Second Class; Schinkel Version; Iron Core, silver frame; East Medal in zinc, Long Service Medal; 4 Years with Luftwaffe eagle; and Romanian Anti-Communism Medal in bronze; all awards period mounted as worn. Krim Shield; magnetic with all prongs purposefully removed and 5 holes created for thread mounting on sleeve. Two ribbon bars, both worn; and a Bronze Grade DRL Sports Badge; marked on reverse; extremely fine.
An Early Combined Pilot & Observer Badge; thin wreath version in tombac; marked C.E. Juncker; weighing 27.9 grams, and exhibiting 90% of gold gilt on wreath with a pleasing toning to eagle; with case of issue that is near mint. A Gold Grade Bomber Clasp in tombac; an early issue weighing 16.9 grams, with minimal gilt loss and in correct case of issue, extremely fine. Footnote: This grouping was purchased by a German dealer directly from his son, then in turn sold to eMedals few weeks later (we have a copy of a purchase slip with son's signature); at that time also his Honor Goblet was purchased, however unfortunatelly, it was sold to a collector before grouping was obtained by eMedals.
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Footnote:
Hansgeorg Bätcher was January 13th, 1914 in Finsterwalde, he began his training as a Pilot with Fliegergruppe Tutow between November 1935 and March 1936. Holding the rank of Leutnant, he became a Pilot in Kampfgeschwader 157 in December of 1938. He participated in the invasion of Poland in 1939, and in the invasion of France in 1940. During one mission, he was shot down and captured in Rouen on the 5th of June, 1940. He was released following France’s surrender, and for a short time acted as a flying instructor. He continued active service in May 1941 with Kampfgruppe 100 “Wiking,” fitted with Heinkel He 111 Bombers. In July 1941 he was made Staffelkapitän of Kampfgruppe 100, and deployed on the Eastern Front. His unit was flying missions over Moscow in late summer and fall of 1941. During these missions he earned the Bomber Clasp in Bronze in August, Silver in September, and Gold in November. In early 1942, Kampfgeschwader 100 was conducting maritime attacks against Soviet naval targets in the Black Sea. Bätcher had the distinction of being the most successful Pilot during this operation, sinking several Soviet vessels. In March of the same year he was promoted to Hauptmann. In the summer of 1942 he was engaged in the aerial assault of Sevastopol, and on July 2nd he successfully carried out his 300th mission.
In August 1942 his unit participated in the Battle of Stalingrad. He began flying supply missions to the 6th Army which was desperately besieged by the Red Army. Bätcher was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on the 21st of December, 1942. In the summer of 1943, his unit was involved in the Battle of Kursk. They later flew mission over the Kuban Bridgehead. He completed his 500th Combat Mission on the 30th of July, 1943. In November 1943, Bätcher was promoted to Major, and made Gruppenkommandeur of the newly designated Kampfgeschwader 4. He completed his 600th mission on November 21st, 1943, and his 650th on February 9th, 1944. After having completed his 658th combat mission, Bätcher was assigned to the staff of Luftflottekommando 4 in May 1944. The following December he was given the command of Kampfgeschwader 76, which was equipped with the first Jet Bombers, the Arado Ar 234. His last Bomber missions were carried out with the Ar-234 against Allied troops in the West in February 1945. In February 1945 he was given the command of KG(J) 54 equipped with the Jet powered Messerschmitt Me-262; he held this post until the end of the War. Bätcher was captured by American troops in May 1945. He died on April 23rd, 2003.